2023-09-13 14:27:27
As in 2021, the Benin Cheetahs missed their qualification for CAN 2023. The match lost against the Mambas of Mozambique on September 9, 2023 marks the end of a campaign full of twists and turns tinged with mutations among the Benin Cheetahs.
It is a shattered dream for the Beninese. The Cheetahs once again missed their qualifying ticket for the African Cup of Nations (CAN 2023). The national team of Benin lost 2-3 against the team of Mozambique on September 9, 2023 in Maputo during the sixth day of the qualifiers.
The Mambas of Mozambique therefore rule out CAN 2023the Benin Cheetahs feverish in defense and less effective in front of the Mozambican goals.
The verdict of the match places the Benin football team in third position in group L behind the two qualified selections: Mozambique, second and Senegal, first. Benin and Rwanda will follow at home, the continental tournament to be played from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Ivory Coast.
Six CAN qualifying matches for zero victories
In six days, the quarter-finalists of the CAN Egypt 2019, absent from the 2021 edition played in Cameroon, did not obtain any victory. The Cheépards of Benin began the qualifiers for the 2023 campaign with a 1-3 failure against the Lions of Téranga on June 4, 2022 in Senegal. On June 8, 2022 in Cotonou, the Beninese team lost to the Mozambique selection 0-1.
Benin continues with draws: Benin – Rwanda (1-1 in Cotonou, Benin on March 22, 2023), Rwanda-Benin (1-1 in Kigali, Rwanda on March 29, 2023) and Benin – Senegal (1-1 in Cotonou in Benin on June 17, 2023).
On Saturday September 9, 2023, the Beninese team falls to the qualification door as in 2021. The Benin Cheetahs lost 2-3 on the sixth and final day against Mozambique in Maputo.
Benin’s score becomes steep in group L: 6 matches, 3 defeats, 3 draws, zero victories.
CAN 2023 and 3 points on the green carpet
Following the illicit alignment of Rwandan player Kevin Muhire during the match played on March 29, 2023 in Kigali and which ended with a score of one goal everywhere, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded three points to Benin. This decision by CAF brings the points of the Cheetahs to 4 before their meeting with the Lions of Senegal in Cotonou.
The score from Cotonou (Benin vs Senegal 1-1) allows the Beninese team to total 5 points on the fifth day.
On the sixth and final day of the qualifiers, the miracle hoped for by the Cheetahs did not happen. The Cheetah footballers miss out on qualification by posting 5 points on their scoreboard in group L. An insufficient score to validate their qualifying ticket for CAN 2023, despite being back in the race thanks to the three points obtained on the green carpet.
CAN 2023 and mutations among the Cheetahs
The Benin national football team started the qualifying campaign for CAN 2023 with the name Écureuils and a de facto coach. Without its coach Michel Dussuyer whose contract has expired, the Beninese selection finds itself entrusted to the Beninese Moussa Latoundji.
Assistant to the French technician Michel Dussuyer, Moussa Latoundji becomes interim coach. The latter plays friendly matches in preparation for the qualifiers for the African competition and wins the Antalya Cup tournament, a friendly tournament.
Moussa Latoundji played the first three qualifying matches for CAN 2023 with the Beninese team before handing over to the Franco-German, Gernot Rohr. The new technician finds himself at the head of the selection when a new transfer occurs: name replacement “The Squirrels of Benin” par “The Cheetahs of Benin”.
From Squirrels to Cheetahs of Benin, opinions remain mixed on Benin’s football performances.
Read also=>> Football: the Squirrels winners of the Antalya Cup friendly tournament
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